We’ve already taken a look at the coaching staffs forming under new head coaches here and here, but with those hires come openings, some expected and some surprises, on existing teams. There’s always a ripple effect as guys get hired, promoted and fired when these new regimes take over. Here’s how the rest of the league is shaking out.
The big move the Browns made this offseason was bringing in Jeff Fisher cast-off Gregg Williams to run the defense. Under Williams the Rams were the No. 9-ranked defense in the NFL last season, but I didn’t come here to praise him. Williams is the perfect example for the statistics not telling the whole story.
Under Williams the Rams were consistently undisciplined and underprepared. Any coach could have gotten this particular unit, with elite-level players all over the field and four first round picks on the defensive line into to the Top 10. The Rams didn’t give up a lot of points, but a lot of that has to do with their opponents not needed a lot of points to beat them.
Get an Insider’s Look At The Schemes, Coaching Style and New Identity DC Gregg Williams Will Bring To The #Browns – https://t.co/mlWqatohlc pic.twitter.com/9vUTbxyyYG
— Brad Ward (@WardonSports) January 15, 2017
Williams had no clue what to call when an opposing team went for it on fourth down. Rams opponents wer were 12-of-14 on fourth down attempts. Overall, teams averaged 3.9 yards per rush and 6.7 yards per pass against the Rams and while their third down percentage of 37.3 is good enough to tie for 11th in the league, make no mistake. When the Rams needed the right call to make a definitive stop, Williams made the wrong call. Just look at the two-point conversion Chip Kelly, of all people, called with Colin Kaepernick (again, of all people) to beat the Rams on the final play in the last game of the season. Pathetic.
Along with Gregg Williams, the Browns inherit his shitty son, Blake, as their linebackers coach. Clyde Simmons will coach the defensive line and DeWayne Walker, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, will take over defensive backs.
Head coach Hue Jackson made just one change on offense, bringing in Bob Wyle fresh from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to coach the offensive line.
The Redskins had a unique offseason as they not only lost their offensive coordinator Sean McVay when he was hired to be the new head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, but also fired their defensive coordinator Joe Barry and most of his staff. Washington finished the season as the No. 28-ranked defense so maybe a few changes were in order.
#Redskins HC Jay Gruden says he's looking forward to calling plays again, but Matt Cavanaugh & Bill Callahan will also have input.
— Stephen Czarda (@StephenCzarda) January 24, 2017
Head coach Jay Gruden promoted Greg Manusky to defensive coordinator after a single season as the outside linebackers coach. Matt Cavanaugh was promoted to offensive coordinator to take over for McVay. He was the quarterbacks coach last season. Kevin O’Connell will take over at quarterbacks coach after spending 2016 working on “special projects” for the San Francisco 49ers. What were those “special projects?” Considering how horrible the 49ers’ quarterbacks played last season, I can’t believe they were part of it.
Speaking of the 49ers, former Niners head coach and hot mic farter Jiim Tomsula will join the Redskins to coach their defensive line. Tomsula was out of football last season, which should come as a shock to absolutely no one.
Carolina Panthers
With former defensive coordinator Sean McDermott taking over as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, Ron Rivera promoted Steve Wilks to the position after spending the last five seasons as the secondary coach. Wilks has coached in the NFL since 2006, but has only been a defensive coordinator at the college level. Wilks called the defense for East Tennessee State in 2002 and at Savannah State from 1997-1999.
.@josephperson New DC Steve Wilks will add his own wrinkles to #Panthers defense https://t.co/jtTm9nrXAB#KeepPounding @JCSU_Sports pic.twitter.com/CZBHK0uBiJ
— The Charlotte Observer (@theobserver) January 16, 2017
The Panthers haven’t officially named a new defensive backs coach, but it will probably be Richard Rodgers who assisted Wilks in that same position last season.
Miami Dolphins
Head coach Adam Gase promoted from within his staff after losing defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to the Denver Broncos. Former linebackers coach Matt Burke will now call the defense. This is Burke’s first DC job at any level, but he’s a super smart guy. He played at Dartmouth and coached at Boston College and Harvard when he began his career.
Take a look back at training camp and preseason with Matt Burke.
This is The Grind. pic.twitter.com/KurlHdrgYX
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 14, 2017
Like the Panthers, Gase hasn’t yet officially announced Burke’s replacement at linebacker’s coach, but the smart money is on Burke’s assistant, Charlie Bullen.
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